The 2014 season was Johnson's second as the DC at Auburn. He previously was the head coach at Southern Miss, but was fired after one season when the team went 0-12 in 2012.

Defensively, Auburn ranked 60th in the FBS for total yards given up, 85th for passing yards per game and 47th for rushing yards per game in the regular season. Teams averaged 26.1 points per game against Auburn, which ranked No. 61 in the FBS.

Last season, which saw Auburn go 12-2 and reach the national championship game, the Tigers gave up 24.7 points per game. That was No. 48 in the FBS.